Nate Myers & The Aces
“Here’s Your Stimulus Package”
Written by Gina Tutko-Usalis / February 2009
Stimulus infers that something POSITIVE is happening! ACTION is occurring! ENERGY is being expended and focused on the right place! Well folks this ‘stimulus package’ is NOT all pork! There is no ‘lipstick on a pig’. Here at the PA Music Scene – it is about MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT!! It has all the components to stimulate and in most cases, it won’t cost you anything more than the price of a few drinks. So c’mon along and let’s get STIMULATED ….
As you walk into the venue, Gullifty’s UnderGround
{Cedar Cliff Mall, 1104 Carlisle Road, Camp Hill this particular night} there was a crowd to “excuse” your way through. Making your approach toward the front of the stage there was a tall, eye-catching gentleman who seems to stand out from the crowd with a few peers around him. That my friends would be -NATE MYERS AND THE ACES.
Born Nathanael Myers – seemingly too formal – “Nate” began listening to music like many of us, in his adolescent years. His real interest peaked when there was a celebration of his father’s 40th birthday. “My father has a friend who I met at the party. He played acoustic delta- style blues in the style of Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Son House, Charlie Patton and others. He blew my mind and I wanted to pursue playing music at that point,” states Nate. Seems music is shared within the family with Nate’s brother Nick being a “great singer/songwriter/guitar player” and his brother Tim is a “killer bass player.” Both of his brothers can be heard on previous recordings. The music interest does not stop there as Nate now tells, “Mom and Dad recently started playing music because they have seen how much joy it has brought to the lives of their children.”
The band formed in 2002 after Nate decided to move on from being a full time side man in a band called “Krypton City Blues Revue.” He wanted the opportunity to front a band and to work on his originals both of which he had never done before. Nate had become a fan of a 1950’s versatile guitarist/harpist 
Louis Myers, founding member of “the Aces.” So as a “tip of the hat” to Louis Myers who also shared the identical last name – the band has been known as “Nate Myers and The Aces” since inception.
The advice Nate Myers and The Aces would like to pass along to fellow bands or newcomers would be this – “Don’t get frustrated. Be patient and prepare yourself musically and spiritually. You’ll have to deal with a lot of hurdles. Surround yourself with level headed, like-minded people. It’s tough to fight the battles in the world if you can’t even agree or compromise in the practice room.”
Just as the band likes hearing lyrics and music they can relate to, Nate Myers and The Aces hope their listeners are entertained and feel connected to the songs. “Good, bad or ugly it always gives us hope because someone out there sees things the same way we do.” They like to keep their music positive but that doesn’t always work. The songs encompass life – love, loss, hope, joy, etc. Life ebbs and flow. There are times of great joy and happiness along with times of fear and doubt. The music is written to reflect those experiences.
Never quite taking a liking to doing covers, it took Nate a long time to figure out that he needed to do material he could feel and deliver with his limited vocal range. Despite that fact, Nate feels strongly that he and his musical colleagues have something to “add”to the world of music no matter how minute the contribution. The rest of the band feels the same way as the creativity of writing and the collaboration aspect of composing/recording original music induces a sense of immense pleasure.
The majority of the music and lyrics are written by Nate. Chris Purcell, who plays guitar, is a brilliant writer both of music and lyrics. His fellow band mates try to encourage him to do more writing as all his songs to date are excellent. Pete Netznik, bass guitar, is really strong with new music. Mike Noll, drums, is instrumental to the arrangements on their tunes. Mike and Pete are all business when it comes to promotion of the group. As a whole they contribute to the arrangements and dynamics. They usually put a song together, play it out, fine tune it and then record it once its cultivated. Writing original music takes a little faith. They have to take chances. The special thing is they get to call it their OWN! When I asked Nate what his favorite song is thus far in his career, he pointed out it would have to be “Angel” on the “Persist” record as the subject matter is really, really personal to him.
They feel blessed to be performing as often as they do. It is very difficult for a band if they are not considered “mainstream.” There are many great, artistic singers/players that are never heard because they don’t fit the industry’s idea of being marketable. A disturbing part of the business is when venues treat musicians like they are property. Musicians are people who put immeasurable time into their art. Rehearsals, instruments, time away from loved ones and the travel requires much commitment and dedication.
Asked about downloading music online – Nate stated, “Artists need money to survive but each download gets your music into the hands of people who may build your fan base and future earnings. It’s hard to say!” The band is not characterized as one particular genre as that seems to be the case with most artists/bands in today’s music industry. Nate comments, “When it comes to genre, well we are stuck on that question as well. We play a lot of blues influenced music but we also play Rockabilly and Funk style music. We do some Tex-Mex style and some Hip-Hop material. We’ve been called a Blues band, a Funk band, a Jam band, and a Roots style band. We’ve also been called some other things which I am embarrassed to repeat!”
Currently there is a new LIVE album (not yet titled) in the making comprised of about 10 songs or so. Tentative release date is Summer 2009. Nate asserts, “I like to put 13 songs on each record because it is an unlucky number. I like dealing with challenge.” Live recording leaves little room for error. There is an element of danger and adventure. The exciting part is spontaneous things happen and they may just be able to catch some once in a lifetime moments.
Nate Myers and the Aces are not what you would typically classify as a ‘hobby band” as they usually play an average of two-three times a week. They all have day jobs as it would be hard to have a family without a steady income with benefits. Entertaining and playing music is a great joy however, it is not always financially rewarding. Rewards are usually more in the form of playing to a rowdy, partying, demonstrative crowd! The downside would be playing to a crowd that can care less, in a club that can care less and then not getting compensated at the end of the night. Ugly! The band as a whole discusses what bookings to accept and what locations to play although the Mighty Nate takes the lead most times with finalization.
For more information about future performances or bookings:
http://www.myspace.com/natemyersandtheaces
Special thanks to Gullifty’s Casual Upscale Dining & NightClub
http://www.myspace.com/gulliftys
On a last note – I would like to encourage our readers to continue to SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC! It’s important for so many reasons. Not only does it financially help the independent artists but the hope is the MUSIC will be a diversion from every day drama. No matter what events take place in your life – there always seems to be a song to share the experience! Go to their shows, download the music, and buy their CD’s and/or any other promotional items. Musicians appreciate your support!
I hope when you partake in live entertainment you leave feeling POSITIVE, that it sparked ACTION within you – sharing an evening full of conversation with great friends over some thirst quenching drink, some singing or dancing and that it created an ENERGY that will bring you out more often to SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC!
This was your STIMULUS PACKAGE!
Y’All come back now – ya hear?!
Until next month ~
Tell me your NAME …
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